Fiber optic connector assembly

Abstract

A connector assembly for mating an optoelectronic device mounted on the printed circuit board with the end of an optic fiber. The optoelectronic device has a housing including an optical port surrounding optical lens. The optical port has means for guiding a fiber end in alignment with the lens. A cylindrical ferrule having a flange at one end is secured around the fiber. A unitary connector housing is provided for receiving and maintaining the fiber end and the optical lens in mating relation. The connector housing includes a portion for receiving the optoelectronic device and means defining the elongated passageway for receiving the fiber and ferrule. The passageway communicates with the optical port. Also disclosed is a connector assembly for mating the end of one optical fiber to the end of another optical fiber. A cylindrical ferrule having a flange at one end is secured around each fiber. A housing is used for receiving and maintaining the fiber ends in mating relation. The housing includes two elongated passageways each for receiving its respective fiber and ferrule communicating through a mating port. Expandable engageable means are formed on each open end for removable cooperation with the respective ferrule flange for positioning the fiber ends against each other at the mating port. Means are formed adjacent both sides of the mating port for guiding each fiber end in alignment with the other fiber end.

We claim: 
     
       1. A connector assembly for mating the end of an optic fiber with a second optic element, said assembly including a cylindrical ferrule adapted to be secured around the fiber, said ferrule having a flange located a predetermined distance from the end of the fiber,   a housing for receiving and maintaining the fiber end and second optic element in mating relation, said housing having a first housing portion for receiving the second optic element, a second housing portion defining an elongated passageway for receiving the fiber and ferrule, said passageway including an open end through which the fiber and ferrule are received, and locking means at the open end of the passageway cooperating with the ferrule to maintain the fiber within the passageway, and   port means located generally between the fiber end and the second optic element allowing optical communication therebetween to define an optical interface region, said port means including inverted funnel means facing the fiber end for guiding the fiber end into alignment with the second optic element, the improvement comprising:   a surface extending radially outwardly from the ferrule facing the port means; and   an open ended cylindrically shaped elastomeric member secured around the fiber having an outside diameter greater than the diameter of the port means and not greater than the diameter of the passageway, said elastomeric member being held in compression between the radially extending surface and the inverted funnel means when the fiber and ferrule are inserted and locked into the first housing portion;   whereby the pressure of the elastomeric member against the inverted funnel means serves to maintain the integrity of the optical interface by simultaneously maintaining the proper distance of the fiber end from the port means and sealing the optical interface at the port means from the outside environment.     
     
     
       2. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the ferrule includes a second flange spaced from the first flange having said radially extending surface. 
     
     
       3. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the locking means includes a plurality of cantilevered resilient fingers having free ends with shoulders formed thereon for engaging the ferrule flange. 
     
     
       4. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the housing is made of generally resilient elastomeric material, said locking means including an annular shoulder formed at the open end for engaging the ferrule flange. 
     
     
       5. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said inverted funnel means includes an inverted funnel having a first conical portion joining an open-ended tube portion and a second conical portion extending outwardly from said first conical portion at a greater angle than the first conical portion. 
     
     
       6. The assembly of claim 5 wherein the optic fiber includes a light transmissive fiber core surrounded by a fiber jacket, whereby said fiber core is received in said tube portion, said jacket is pressed against the first conical portion and said elastomeric member is pressed against said second conical portion. 
     
     
       7. A connector assembly for mating the end of an optic fiber with the lens of an optoelectronic device, said assembly including a cylindrical ferrule adapted to be secured around the fiber, said ferrule having a flange located a predetermined distance from the end of the fiber,   a housing for receiving and maintaining the fiber end and lens of an optoelectronic device in mating relation, said housing having a first housing portion for receiving the optoelectronic device, a second housing portion defining an elongated passageway for receiving the fiber and ferrule, said passageway including an open end through which the fiber and ferrule are received, and locking means at the open end of the passageway cooperating with the ferrule to maintain the fiber within the passageway, and   port means located generally between the fiber end and the lens of an optoelectronic device allowing optical communication therebetween to define an optical interface region, said port means including inverted funnel means facing the fiber end for guiding the fiber end into alignment with the lens of an optoelectronic device, the improvement comprising:   said inverted funnel means is integrally formed on the optoelectronic device.     
     
     
       8. The assembly of claim 7 wherein said inverted funnel means includes an inverted funnel having a first conical portion joining an open-ended tube portion and a second conical portion extending outwardly from said first conical portion at a greater angle than the first conical portion. 
     
     
       9. The assembly of claim 8 wherein the optic fiber includes a light transmissive fiber core surrounded by a fiber jacket, whereby said fiber core is received in said tube portion, said jacket is pressed against the first conical portion and said elastomeric member is pressed against said second conical portion. 
     
     
       10. The assembly of claim 7 including a surface extending radially outwardly from the ferrule facing the port means; and an open ended cylindrically shaped elastomeric member secured around the fiber having an outside diameter greater than the diameter of the port means and not greater than the diameter of the passageway, said elastomeric member being held in compression between the radially extending surface and the inverted funnel means when the fiber and ferrule are inserted and locked into the second housing portion;   whereby the pressure of the elastomeric member against the inverted funnel means serves to maintain the integrity of the optical interface by simultaneously maintaining the proper distance of the fiber end from the port means and sealing the optical interface at the port means from the outside environment.